We're kicking the year off with a dual presence promoting bin use at World of Concrete -- click to visit our event section to learn more. Come by and see us at the show!

New Year, New President, New Opportunities "Shovel-ready" is the buzzword for on-deck projects that could benefit from president-elect Obama's economic stimulus plans. And, the good news is, many of these projects are bridge and highway infrastructure efforts -- i.e., projects that will require a lot of concrete.

For example, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials released its compilation of $65B worth of infrastructure projects, many of which are improvements and repairs to existing roads and bridges that could start employing people within 90 days. States leading the list of ready-to-go projects include Florida, Texas and California, with $7B, $6B and $5B wish lists, respectively. Other states looking for $1B or more in funding for immediate projects include New Jersey, New Mexico, Georgia, Arizona, Utah, North Carolina and Ohio.

Besides the bridge and highway funding, stimulus money could also go for airport repairs and expansion projects. The Airports Council International has prepped a list of $1B worth of runway repairs for consideration.

With government money committed to such projects, maintaining EPA standards for concrete waste management will, of course, be essential.

Resolution Time? Forget losing weight or getting in shape! How about some resolutions for your CWS business in 2009 instead? Here are a couple of ideas you might find valuable:

brush up on local NPDES regulations -- and get involved with local enforcement.

get involved with LEED requirements and the USGBC -- John Hall has previously requested input from CWS operators, and is always refining the agenda for his Stormwater Summits.

LEGAL NEWS As you may have heard, CWS has been granted several Court injunctions prohibiting operators who have not complied with the terms of their licenses from using or renting out their bins. To ensure all CWS licensed operators get the full benefit of the operating agreements they've established with CWS (and the rights they're paying for), all licensees must comply in full with all the terms of their agreements. CWS will take all steps necessary to enforce its contracts, and terminate the licenses of operators who do not comply. We believe this is absolutely crucial in order to protect the rights of CWS operators who do comply with their agreements.

We hope that this will be good news for the vast majority of our licensed operators who have faithfully complied with their agreements. If you have any doubts about your own compliance, please don't hesitate to contact Joe Capko for clarification (and, if necessary, guidance on how to become compliant). (To ensure clear communication on both sides, please send your questions in writing -- and we will respond in writing as well.)

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been."- Wayne Gretzky